Growing interest in becoming Buddhist nuns
Notes from Down Under
More and more women are showing a keen interest in becoming Buddhist nuns. We met nuns from different countries who have donned the robes and entered the Order. In Sydney, a forest monastery set up by AjahnBrahmavamso in Bandanoon, a rural suburb away from the city for monks, is today a monastery for nuns. At Gidgegannup, about an hour’s drive from Perth city, the Dhammasara Buddhist Nuns Monastery which houses ten nuns is being expanded to provide room for more. Incidentally, among the ten nuns three are Sri Lankans.
Bhikkuni Nirodha and other nuns in the shrine room.
The Dhammasara Monastery, set up in 1998 by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BSWA) has seen rapid progress over the years. Its core aim is to provide the space for women to be trained to become fully ordained nuns (Bhikkhunis). The monastery also provides a unique opportunity for Buddhist laywomen to experience the monastic lifestyle first hand. In fact, when we visited the monastery we met a fairly elderly Sri Lankan on a visit to Perth spending a couple of weeks meditating and following the routine at the monastery.
The Bo-sapling taken from the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura and planted at the Dhammasara monastery in November 2012 is growing fast, well protected from the cold weather.
A stupa constructed in Thai style close to the Bo-sapling is a new addition since our last visit there two years ago. While a fund raising campaign is on, the land is being prepared to build a spacious alms hall and nuns’ quarters as a result of the increased demand from women to enter the Order.
The monastery built in a natural bushland setting, is being run in the tradition of the Thai forest monasteries. 583 acres in extent, it is characterised by gentle slopes, numerous creeks and exposed granite outcrops. The site comprises forests and shrubs along with a wealth of Australian wildlife.
A strict schedule is maintained with lay visitors being permitted to visit only in the morning from 10.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alms can be offered to the nuns preceded by a short sermon and Dhamma discussion by one of the co-abbots, Bhikkhuni Nirodha or Bhikkhuni Hasapanna. A senior nun is available for the visitors to talk to after the meal. Generally, the lay visitors who bring alms look after the needs of the nuns bringing with them their daily requirements.
Meanwhile, the founding abbot of the Dhammasara Monastery, the British born AjahnVayama took early retirement in June 2010 due to failing health and with her carer, Ajahn Seri moved out accepting an offer of accommodation by a female lay supporter. They established the Patacara Hermitage in a separate section of her residence and a group of devotees look after the two bhikkhunis.
The nuns lead an extremely simple life at the monastery devoting most of their time to meditation. Their wants are minimal and they live content in their quest to realise the goal of attaining Nibbana.
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